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Coryell Health will be hosting Fort Hood soldiers over the next two days, as they do simulation training in preparation for deployment. As of this morning, Army North active duty army has started pre-deployment certification outside the Coryell Health EMS building. They will be simulating decontamination, specifically nuclear, radiological exposure. “We have always had a great relationship with our Fort Hood neighbors and provide any assistance they need when preparing soldiers for deployment. This specific training will have the active duty soldiers in hazmat suits and with the heighted concerns about Corona virus, we wanted to let our community know that what we have going on here is a training,” stated Jeff Mincy, Coryell Health EMS Director/Patient Experience.

Coryell Health is closely monitoring the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and safety of our patients, residents, and community are the top priority for Coryell Health. Response plans are in place, including screenings of all patients seeking care. We ask that you do not visit patients or residents if you are ill.

Symptoms of COVID-19

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

Tips to protect yourself and others

The CDC recommends the following steps to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVD-19

• avoid close contact with people that are sick
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• stay at home and away from other people if you are sick
• cover your cough and sneezes with a tissues
• wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol based hand gel for at least 20 seconds
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Orthopedic surgeons and the medical staff at Coryell Health are excited to offer an orthopedic robotic knee system, which brings together robotic technology with industry-leading knee implants to help surgeons personalize surgical procedures for their patients. Coryell is the first to use x-ray guided orthopedic robotic technology in the Central Texas area. The ROSA (Robotic Surgical Knee is a robotically-assisted surgical system designed to help perform total knee replacement surgery.  It includes features to assist with bone resections and assessing the state of soft tissues in order to facilitate implant positioning intraoperatively. Data provided by orthopedic robots assist with complex decision-making and enables surgeons to use computer and software technology to control and move surgical instruments, allowing for greater precision and flexibility during procedures.

“For everyone involved – surgeons, medical staff and, most importantly, patients – the orthopedic robot has the potential to offer a number of key benefits and advantages,” Jacob Battle, MD, Coryell Health Orthopedic Surgeon said. “We know the decision to have joint replacement is often a difficult one for patients to make, and we believe these robotically-assisted technologies have the potential to make it an easier one moving forward.”

“The orthopedic robot provides us with data throughout the surgery to help us know how to position your implant based on your unique anatomy. It really personalizes the approach to total knee replacement,” adds Lance Ellis, DO, Coryell Health Orthopedic and Orthopedic Spine Surgeon.

For more information on how patients may benefit from a knee replacement at Coryell Health, contact our medical clinic at (254) 865-2166.

Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women in the United States. This condition is typically due to the buildup of plaque in the arteries. This blockage makes it harder for blood to flow and can cause high blood pressure. In severe cases, it can stop circulation, causing a heart attack or stroke. Given the risks and prevalence of this illness, every person must know how to protect against heart disease. In honor of National Heart Month this February, below are a few crucial points to know about this condition.

What Can You Do to Prevent Heart Disease?

Manage Conditions

Certain medical conditions increase your risk of developing heart disease—including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. If you have any of these issues, take steps with your doctors to minimize their adverse effects on the body.

Eat Healthily

A heart-healthy diet is one that contains a proportionate amount of vegetables, fruits, lean meat, fatty fish, legumes, and whole grains. When choosing food, avoid items that are high in sodium, refined sugars, and trans or saturated fats. These substances stress your cardiovascular system.

Stay Active

Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day will strengthen your heart so that it can better pump blood. Regular activity will also help prevent or manage conditions that contribute to heart diseases—such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Avoid Harmful Substances

Cigarette use and excessive drinking can increase your risk of heart problems. If you smoke, ask your primary care provider about ways you can quit. You should also eliminate or limit your alcohol intake.

How Do You Spot Heart Disease?

Heart disease typically develops without presenting any noticeable symptoms. That’s why you should get screened by a doctor on a schedule that fits your specific risk profile. Doctors use a variety of methods to diagnose heart disease—including blood tests, calcium scoring, physical exams, and blood pressure checks.

How Is Heart Disease Managed?

If you have heart disease, your doctor will prescribe several lifestyle adjustments to improve your cardiovascular health—including dietary changes and increased fitness. Often, they will also prescribe medications to help reduce the effects of the disease.

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Providing both preventative and urgent care services in Gatesville, TX, Coryell Health makes it easy to get all the services you need to protect your heart. Whether they screen you for high blood pressure, diabetes, or assist with weight loss, the caring professionals will develop plans that address your specific concerns. To learn more about our cardiopulmonary care, visit us online. If you’d like to make an appointment with a doctor, call (254) 865-2166.

Center recognizes American Heart Month by teaching community about cardiovascular care and wound healing.

The staff at Coryell Health (CH) Wound Center are celebrating American Heart Month by educating their community about good cardiovascular care and tips to keep hearts healthy year-round.

Every day, more than half a million Americans are diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases like peripheral artery disease, a condition that compromises leg circulation and results in non-healing wounds. A healthy heart helps keep oxygen and nutrient-rich blood flowing through the body, a vital component of wound healing.

“Any disease that disrupts blood circulation affects how long it will take for a wound to heal,” said Steve Norris, CH Wound Center Medical Director, “Poor heart health means poor wound healing rates.”

5 Ways for Patients to Be Heart Healthy:

• exercise at least 30 minutes a day
• if you’re a smoker, quit
• eat a healthy amount of fruits and veggies instead of processed foods like potato chips
• get adequate sleep
• engage in activities to relieve stress, such as meditation

Coryell Health Wound Center provides a comprehensive approach to treating patients with non-healing wounds. The team features clinicians with advanced training in wound care and hyperbaric medicine.

Our wound center team will have a booth at the annual Coryell Health Heart Health Fair on February 20^th from 11:30-1:30 pm. The community is invited to attend and there will be educational materials, food, door prizes, and plenty of give-a-ways!

For more information about wound care or to schedule an appointment, call (254) 248-6204. No referral is required.

From the common cold to the flu, illness is prevalent during winter. As a result, many believe that it’s due to the cold weather. But while the weather plays a role in the process, it isn’t directly responsible for sickness. Below are a few points about being under the weather, and how you can stay healthy to avoid needing urgent care.

What Is the Relationship Between Cold Weather & Spikes in Illness?

You can catch a cold, the flu, or another respiratory infection at any time of the year. However, it is more common in the winter due to changes in the air. At colder temperatures, the air becomes less humid. This lack of moisture allows bacteria and viruses to thrive—and spread around from person to person.

As germs become more common, you face a higher risk of catching an illness. However, being out in the cold isn’t going to make you sick.

Does Cold Weather Contribute to Other Health Problems?

While low temperatures won’t give you a cold, they can add to other problems. For example, if you’re outside without proper clothing, you may develop hypothermia or frostbite. In these conditions, your heart must work harder to keep you warm, increasing your risk of related problems—such as a heart attack.

The lack of moisture in the air also makes it more likely for people to suffer from dry skin or sinuses. Going from warm to cold temperatures narrows airways, intensifying asthma symptoms. Drops in pressure and temperature can also cause joints to swell and synovial fluid to thicken—two reactions that trigger arthritis flare-ups.

How Can You Stay Healthy in the Cold?

To avoid trips to the doctor or urgent care center this winter, prioritize keeping germs away. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, get an annual flu shot, and cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

Continue other activities that will keep you healthy—such as resting when you don’t feel well, exercising regularly, staying hydrated, following a balanced diet, and taking vitamins.

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If you get sick this season, Coryell Health Quick Care Walk-In Clinic is here to help you recover. Serving the Gatesville, TX, community, our clinic provides urgent care services in a walk-in clinic setting.To learn more about our care options, kindly see our website. For primary or specialty care appointments, call (254) 865-2166.

Senator Dawn Buckingham visited Coryell Health EMS and heard about challenges that EMS agencies face across Texas, but in particular challenges that rural EMS agencies face in filling the role of safety net for their communities.

Left to right: Matt Westerfeld, Coryell Health EMT; Senator Dawn Buckingham; Jeff Mincy, Coryell Health EMS Director & Patient Relations; Daniel Lay, Coryell Health EMS Deputy Chief; Stephanie Estep, Acadian Ambulance Service Business Development Coordinator

Every person needs to sleep to maintain optimal mental and physical health, but this rest is particularly vital for youth. While children sleep, their bodies are busy growing and developing. The immune system is also fighting against threats that could cause a wide range of health problems—such as respiratory infections that could cause breathing problems. That’s why kids need much more shuteye than adults. If you’re a parent, here are a few standard recommendations on how long your child should rest to stay strong, healthy, and alert.

Sleep Guidelines for Children

Infants

Babies are rapidly growing, and therefore, require the most amount of sleep out of all other age groups. While there is no one standard recommendation for infants, the general guideline falls between 14 and 17 hours within 24 hours.

Most of this rest will come in short waves, with babies sleeping about two hours at a time between feedings and other activities. However, infants experiencing breathing problems—such as those caused by colds, allergies, or infections—may have trouble getting all the rest they need.

Between four months and a year, infants require less sleep at about 12 to 15 hours per day. Many will start sleeping for longer periods—around five consecutive hours.

Toddlers

Toddlers—or those from one to two years old—should sleep about 11 to 14 hours per day. At this point, children should be resting through the night and taking daily naps to achieve this.

Pre-Schoolers

Children ages three to five years old should spend about 10 to 13 hours sleeping each day. Parents should help their kids maintain a routine sleep schedule—including naps—that accommodates new daily activities, such as going to preschool.

School Age

Once children enter kindergarten, their school schedule will mostly dictate when they go to bed and wake up. Generally, kids between six and 12 years old should sleep nine to 12 hours a day. Many youths will stop napping regularly at this point.

Teenagers

Teens should get between eight and 10 hours of sleep per night. Due to early school times and extracurricular pressures, however, many adolescents won’t meet these requirements. If your teen is experiencing fatigue, irritability, or other unusual behaviors, taking a look at their sleep schedule may be a good start to fixing these issues.

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If your child struggles to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, talk to your primary care provider at Coryell Health Medical Clinic. Through primary care and specialty services in Gatesville, TX, our medical center can diagnose and treat many issues that can impair healthy sleep for children and adults—including breathing problems, diabetes, and obesity.

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, and it is estimated to affect 1 in 13 Americans. While specific individuals may face a higher risk of the disease, it can affect anyone. Given this prevalence, everyone should know how to recognize the condition so they can seek proper care from a qualified physician. To help you avoid serious breathing problems, here are five common signs you should talk to a doctor about asthma.

5 Asthma Warning Signs Every Person Should Know

1. Shortness of Breath

Breathing problems—such as short, rapid inhales and exhales—are the calling cards of asthma. When people have asthma attacks, their airways swell or become congested, making it challenging to take normal breaths. In some cases, the inflammation may also lead to chest pain or tightness. These problems typically appear or worsen if the lungs are irritated—such as during allergy season or when you exercise.

2. Wheezing

When air cannot pass through the airways properly, it can lead to wheezing. Typically, wheezing causes individuals to whistle when they breathe. In other cases, respiration may sound faint or raspy.

3. Excessive Mucus Production

The body’s immune system responds to inflammation by producing mucus. Usually, mucus helps the body expel irritants from the lungs. But when you have asthma, excess mucus production will make you feel congested and unable to breathe.

4. Persistent Cough

An ongoing cough is a sign of many problems—including severe cold, flu, or strep throat infection. But if the problem persists for weeks or months—and gets worse at night when inflammation increases—asthma could be to blame. Some individuals may have a unique form of the condition, known as cough-variant asthma, which causes the individual to experience dry, non-productive coughing when exposed to triggers like pollen or cigarette smoke.

5. Ongoing Fatigue

When you have regular breathing problems, your body won’t get the oxygen it needs to replenish cells and support muscle function. As a result, you will likely feel fatigued and sore—even if you feel well-rested or haven’t been active.

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Since breathing problems can occur for many different reasons, you may need to have your symptoms reviewed by a qualified physician. Coryell Health in Gatesville, TX, is staffed by specialists, our team can accurately diagnoses asthma using pulmonary function tests. Count on this compassionate team to simplify every step of your treatment plan so you’ll feel confident about using a rescue inhaler, nebulizer, or asthma maintenance medication. To learn more about the chronic conditions they treat—including allergies, diabetes, and arthritis—visit this clinic online. For appointments, call (254) 865-2166.